Besito Mexican Restaurant to open at WestShore Plaza

TAMPA — Besito Mexican Restaurant is opening its first location in Florida at WestShore Plaza.

Mall officials said Thursday the restaurant will take up 7,500-square-feet in the front of the mall facing West Shore Boulevard, in the former Palm restaurant spot.

Developed by John Tunney II, the restaurant will be the sixth for the chain, which also has locations in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Besito, which means little kiss in Spanish, will serve higher-end Mexican food, from tableside guacamole and mole poblano to tacos and enchiladas priced between about $10 and $25.

The WestShore Plaza location will be open for lunch and dinner with outdoor dining and a full bar menu offering more than 75 kinds of tequila. It is expected to open later this year.